No. 9 Market Square marks two years in business with tribute to local producers
No. 9 Market Square was packed to capacity last night as Chef Brian McMonagle celebrated two years in business in Letterkenny.
Chef Brian hosted a special tasting dinner to honour the producers and people who have shaped the restaurant’s story since March 2024.
Fresh from receiving the Donegal award for Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine from the Restaurant Association of Ireland, Brian used the occasion to do what No. 9 has become known for doing so well, championing modern Irish cooking with excellent local produce.
Local collaborations ran through every detail of the evening.
The menu was written entirely in Irish and, in place of a traditional ingredients list, each course named the suppliers whose produce helped bring it to life.
Most of them were in the room, allowing Brian to applaud the producers who share his passion for excellence, and whose products give him confidence in every dish that leaves the kitchen.
The menu for the evening, written in Irish and dedicated to the producers. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin
After homemade scone bread and Brian’s own butter, flavoured with John McLoone’s honey, the menu opened with smoked cured pork belly with dandelion syrup and beetroot from Shy by Nature.
The fish course featured a Donegal crab cake with prawns from Inver, packed with wild garlic from Brian’s home area of Rareagh. A hibiscus and raspberry sorbet followed, using kombucha from Marianne O’Donnell’s brewery in Gortahork. The flavour was developed with Brian’s influence and whipped into sorbet by John and Linda Geary of Little Mamma’s.
The courses continued with melt-in-the-mouth beef cheek from Bluestack Farm and vegetables supplied by Alisha from Old Dunnes.
The panna cotta dessert featured a surprise ice cream, using produce from the Milk Bar founded by Shannon Porter in Carrigans, Donegal sea salt and blackcurrants from one of the restaurant’s valued customers, Anne.
Darren Rafferty from James Nicholson Wine added another layer to the evening, guiding guests through four organic wine pairings.
Darren Rafferty from James Nicholson Wine. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin
Chef Brian celebrates his suppliers on his second year in business. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin
Brian has picked up accolades for making the Irish language part of No. 9’s identity, and this was also folded naturally into the night.
With the support of Bairbre Uí Chathail from Líonra Leitir Ceanainn, Brian has added a cúpla focal to the main menu and even outside the building, where the sign on the door reads: “Bia maith agus fíon den scoth a chruthaíonn an comhluadar is fearr” or “Good food and good wine make the best company.”
The words were never truer than last night.
As the wine and conversation flowed, guests were also treated to traditional music by the Breathnach family, Colm, Sinéad and Cormac.
Among those sharing the occasion was Brian’s VIP guest, his mother Rosaleen, who he described as “my reason for being, and my constant support.”
Chef Brian McMonagle and his mother Rosaleen. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin
The Breathnach family, Colm, Sinéad and Cormac, who provided traditional music during the celebration at No. 9 Market Square. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin
Between the music, the tasting notes and the buzz around the room, the evening was a chance to celebrate Brian’s dedication to Donegal and to the community that continues to sustain and inspire the restaurant.
Brian told Donegal Daily he was humbled to host the celebration.
“I was honoured to be part of what happened last night, to be in my natural habitat and to be surrounded by such positive growth in producing food,” he said.
“The support that people are giving our food scene is something that drives us as chefs and as ambassadors for Donegal food.
“We do it better in Donegal than anywhere else, and I think that should be celebrated.”
Brian counts the tasting evening as one of his greatest achievements to date, and as an extension of that positivity and support, he has decided to donate €600 of the proceeds to Pieta.
“I was honoured to be in my restaurant and to see such huge positivity and enjoyment in one small room,” he added.
“I was walking on air all night because I knew the people that were there were there to completely support me. I think it was amazing.”
See more photos from the celebration here:
Brian McMonagle, who marked two years in business at No. 9 Market Square with a special tasting evening. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin
Brian McMonagle applauds his culinary and service team on the second birthday celebration at No. 9 Market Square. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin
Photo: Rachel McLaughlin
Photo: Rachel McLaughlin
Photo: Rachel McLaughlin
Photo: Rachel McLaughlin
Photo: Rachel McLaughlin
Photo: Rachel McLaughlin
Photo: Rachel McLaughlin
No. 9 Market Square marks two years in business with tribute to local producers was last modified: March 28th, 2026 by Rachel McLaughlin
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